Seventh Generation

314. Alpha Jean ZELLMER was born on 12 December 1929 in Monroe County, WI.¹³⁰ She graduated in 1948 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.^373,374 from Tomah High School. She died on 9 November 2015 at the age of 85 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.³⁷⁵

Obituary Notes: "Alpha Jean (Zellmer) Gaede, lost her battle with cancer Nov. 9, 2015, at Zilber Family Hospice. She was 85. Alpha Jean was born Dec. 12, 1929, to Henry and Anna (Fetkenhauer) Zellmer at the Zellmer farm in the town of Adrian. She attended the Jacksonville School in the town of Adrian and St. Paul’s Lutheran School in Tomah. She graduated from Tomah High School in 1948.

Alpha was united in marriage to Norman Gaede June 7, 1950. They shared 60 beautiful years together before his passing in 2010.

Alpha lived her life for her veterans. She retired from the Tomah VA Medical Center in April of this year, after 45 years of dedicated service. For 35 years, Norman and Alpha ran the Christmas Store at the VA, ensuring that each veteran was able to send a gift home to their family for the holidays. She was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, Monroe Co #27 and a member of the VFW Auxiliary #1382.

Prior to working at the VA Alpha worked at Schultz Brothers, Sherman Hotel, Northwest Telephone Co., Badger Café, Tomah Café and Fort McCoy. She was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Tomah, and an officer of the Oak Grove Cemetery Board.

Alpha was preceded in death by her husband, Norman; her daughter, Judy Huntington; her son-in-law, Michael Linehan; her parents; her brothers, Alfred, Henry, Milo, Raymond and Milton; and her sisters, Helen Stolz, Leona Kempter, Dorothy Hammon, Marion Zellmer, Irene Schmieder, Anita Gruen and Ruby Isensee.

She is survived by her daughter, Debra Linehan; her granddaughter, Melissa Brown (Adam Knop); and her great-grandson, Emmitt Brown. She is further survived by her brother-in-law, and sister-in-law, Donald and Sarah Gaede; sisters-in-law, Arlene Piel and Eleanor Gaede; her sister, Louise Luedtke; nieces and nephews, countless family and friends.
The family would like to thank Dr’s. Conway and Benden from Gundersen Health System for their amazing care of Alpha over the past two years. In addition, they would like to thank the entire staff of Aurora at Home and Zilber Family Hospice for their impeccable and compassionate care.

Alpha Jean shared her amazing heart and soul with every person who came into her life. She will be remembered for her beautiful smile, her generous nature, her unbelievable work ethic, and her unwavering love for her family and friends. Each of our lives has been blessed because of her.

A celebration of Alpha’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church 525 Superior Ave., Tomah. Pastor William R. King will officiate. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery."

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Alpha Jean ZELLMER and Norman GAEDE were married on 7 June 1950 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.³⁷⁶ Norman GAEDE was born on 11 April 1926 in Black River Falls, Jackson County, WI.³⁷⁶ He died on 24 December 2010 at the age of 84.³⁷⁶

Obituary Notes: "Norman F. Gaede, 84, passed away peacefully at Tomah Memorial Hospital on Dec. 24, surrounded by his loving family. Norman was born April 11, 1926 in Black River Falls. He served his country in both the US Army and the US Air Force. He married Alpha Jean Zellmer on June 7, 1950 in Tomah where they went on to raise their family. He worked for 25 years at the Tomah VA Medical Center. Norman was an amazing man. He spent his entire life devoted to the well being of others. He had a passion for his fellow veterans and served at the VA as the DAV Service Officer for over 30 years and he managed the concession stand at the Monroe County fairgrounds for over 25 years for the Veteran’s Association. Norman was a lifelong member of the Disabled American Veterans Monroe County #27, the Curtis McNutt VFW 1382, and the American Legion Post 201. Norman took great pride in his garden during the summer, growing vegetables for everyone he knew. He enjoyed hunting in the fall, playing cards with the guys, and spending time with his family and friends. He was a long time member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, where he ushered for many years. Those who knew Norman will remember him for his quick wit, generosity, selflessness and love for his family.

He is survived by his loving wife Alpha Jean of 60 years, his daughter Debra Linehan of LaCrosse, his granddaughter Melissa Brown and his great-grandson Emmitt Brown, both of Oak Creek. He is further survived by his brother Donald (Sarah) Gaede of Augusta, his sisters Doris Sell of Osseo and Arlene Piel of Menomonee, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his daughter Judith Huntington, his son-in-law Michael Linehan, brothers Ralph and Everette Gaede and his parents Herman and Sophia Gaede.

He will forever be missed by his family, multitude of friends and anyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

A funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010, 11a.m. at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, Tomah. Pastor Donald R. Buch will officiate. Burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery with military honors by the Curtis-McNutt-V.F.W. Post #1382. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau St., Tomah and on Tuesday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service."

Alpha Jean ZELLMER and Norman GAEDE had the following children: